Real Test of Ratnagiri Alphanso

Mango is the King of Fruits and Alphanso Mango is the King of Mangoes, and Ratnagiri Alphanso is the Emperor! This is particularly because of its unique taste. This taste is developed due to nature’s gift to Ratnagiri, particularly the water-absorbing porous latarite rock, red soil and the salty climate from sea shore. One should note that the mango cultivated in Ratnagiri, need not necessarily be the real Alphanso. The assured taste is a result of all the above mentioned conditions. As such, Raigad and Thane districts of the state of Maharashtra are also blessed with a coastline. Even Balsad district in Gujarat has similar climatic conditions but due to non-availability of Latarite rock, red soil, the unique taste is found lacking. Infact, in Ratnagiri district itself, the taste differs, if one travels 25-30 km away from the sea shore.